Ethnic Surprises at Masters of Taste 2022

(Gerry Furth-Sides) If Italian and soul food and Thai were insanely popular at the 2022 sold out Masters of Taste 2022 it is no surprise. The news is all the surprising twists of why for these ethnic and regional favorites.

Over 100 savory Culinary Masters and restaurants, plus unique sweets prepared by L.A.’s top Sweet Masters. Top Beverage Masters featuring signature handcrafted cocktail tastings from over 25 spirit brands and bars, along with select wineries, local craft breweries, cold-pressed juices, cold brew coffee, live entertainment. ease see www.MastersofTasteLA.com for details and tickets.

100% of the proceeds from Masters of Taste 2022 will directly benefit Union Station Homeless Services.

Bigger-than-Life, 786 degrees‘s Master Pizzaiolo Ali Haider Ali, greeted Masters of Taste 2022 visitors right inside the gate. He worked the Rose Bowl Stadium as it would be his own small kitchen.  But when I asked him about his VPN insignia on his chef coat and if he knew American founder, Peppe Miele, he paid attention.  His respect and the significance for the history, integrity and authenticity of pizza is what has made his pies so popular. Margherita Napolitana D.O.C., the pizza that earned him the Vera Pizza Napolitana certification, the mozzarella di Buffalo is imported form the Campania region of Italy.

Master Pizzaiolo, Ali Haider of 786 Degrees Pizza in Pasadena and Sun Valley, is considered the “thinking man’s creator of pizza. He is also spiritual and explains that the number “786” has beautiful meaning in some cultures of, “May God Shower blessings upon you.” 

Ali’s pizza awards are numerous. They include an 8 time national and world championships under his belt.  And 786 has received as best restaurant. accolades from almost every food publication to Forbes Magazine

How could it not be a best bite? Ali even sources his authentic exotic spices internationally. Here, the thin crust crunch and chew of a Classic Pistachio Pesto – Bianca (Vegetarian 🌱!)Pistachio Pesto, buttery creamy Cheese, Fontina, Fresh Mozzarella, Napoli sea salt, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, seasoned with Oregano, Thyme & Rosemary.

Egypt 🇪🇬 Smoked Mozzarella, Egyptian garlic yogurt sauce, Lamb and Beef Mixed KOFTA, Roasted onions, Egyptian herbs, spices, olive oil & Himalayan salt. With halal meat.

Italian cuisine always reigned in Southern California. Celestino Drago and his brothers who are from Sicily only strengthened this belief with their excellent, consistent Southern Italian cuisine and hospitality to match.

The people already won us over for the sold out Masters of Taste 2022 even before we got onto the field of the iconic Pasadena Rose Bowl.  Everyone was just so happy to to be out together with people.  The vendor participant were no exception. Drago’s Executive Catering Chef, lively Fredy Esobar, here with Taste & Company owner-chef, Cynthia Mamukari.

 

And coming back full circle to French cuisine, Chef Gabriel Capelli at historic The Raymond 1886 is Italian. But he served an unusual dish often found on French menus, Pigeonneau, or squab, on French menus. It takes a deft hand to pull off although the dish is prepared with young pigeons that have never flown. So it has a milder, and tenderer meat than an adult pigeon.

The twist on regional southern food that has captured the hearts of Southern California diners at least is “hot & spicy” fried chicken. The all heart service of Gus’s world Famous Hot & Spicy Fried Chicken helps keep it at the top of the list.

The smile says it all at Masters of Taste 2022 about why Georgia’s Soul Food has propelled itself into the mainstream in Southern California (Long Beach, Anaheim) the past few years. With a strong start as a catering company using treasured family recipes, the suburban locations have also attracter new customers.

I have never understood why the universally appealing flavors and friendliest people the world serving it, Thai, was considered exotic. Re-enforcing the popularity with an eye popping, inter-active performance dish is 2019 Michelin Bib Gourmand Chef Vanda Apasadu of Ayara Thai.

Chef Vanda is the Host Chef of Masters of Taste 2022 and helped arrange an entire Thai Pavilion at the event. After working with Chef Tommy Tang, who is considered the father of Modern Thai cuisine after introducing it to Los Angeles and New York diners, I’m so pleased at this recognition.